Tag Archives: tomato soup

It seems like everyone is going down with colds just recently so I wanted to share with you a soup that is great for helping you/them get better! An alternative to the classic chicken broth that traditionally is the cure-all for so many people.

I have to admit that I make this Spicy Tomato and Lentil Soup because it is delicious but sometimes when I am feeling a bit sniffly I like knowing that It contains lots of herbs and spices that are held to help fight off symptoms of a cold or the flu. I can of course, make no substantiated claims to this soup being a magic cure for colds and flu, but it always helps me feel as though I am doing something positive which is no bad thing and at least there is no eye of newt or tongue of toad needed in this caldron/saucepan to make this potion/soup! It does, however, contain:

ginger as an highly effective against nausea, a powerful anti-inflammatory, great for treating indigestion and for fighting infection.

garlic which is renowned for its cold and flu fighting properties. It has anti bacterial properties

chilli is very high in vitamin C. Capsaicin is the wonder property here and is reported to have anti oxidant and anti inflammatory properties

cumin Is held to increase antioxidant intake and promote digestion

ground coriander reportedly has anti inflammatory and anti bacterial properties as well as aiding digestion

turmeric’s active ingredients is curcumin which is said to be anti-inflammatory and to increase anti-oxidant capacity. Black pepper increases the absorption of curcumin by something like 2000% – so always have pepper with turmeric.